An unreal landscape in one of the most peculiar ecosystems.
The Gypsum Dunes occupy a special place among Mexico’s many natural wonders. This impossibly white crystal desert dates back to the Mesozoic era when the region was part of the Tethys Sea. Over the millennia, this sea gradually withdrew, leaving behind lagoons that eventually dried out.
Today, the site is occupied by an extension of 800 hectares covered by a calcium sulfate and silicon compound, resulting in glossy and smooth sand.
There are only three more places with the same characteristics worldwide; two are in Texas and New Mexico in the United States, and one more is located in Tunisia. This speaks volumes about the relevance of the site, not only for its unusual beauty but also for scientific research around the origins of life.
This prehistoric prodigy is part of the majestic Cuatro Ciénegas. The reserve is 83 kilometers north of Monclova, so it is better to start your trip from this city and take road 30 to Villa Frontera and San Buenaventura. The Dunes are only one of Cuatro Ciénegas’ attractions, but they are worth enough to make the journey. Wander around pathways and hollows while admiring the contrast of the most pristine white, the intense blue of the sky, and the green mountains of the Sierra Madre Oriental; watch the whimsical formations that the wind does and undoes, a reminder of the constant change of life itself. Get fascinated by the endemic species that live in the site like tortoises, rabbits, lizards, and plants that have adapted to this ever-evolving ecosystem.
